Despite tall claims of State government over the ‘transparency’ of the new sand mining policy, political interference, corruption and an ‘organised sand mafia’ are said to be creating hurdles in its implementation.
At Rayapudi, the most-sought-after sand reach, tension continues as local leaders were threatening the DRDA staff against entering the details of transactions in records. Superintendent of Police, Guntur Rural, PHD Ramakrishna along with Project Director, DRDA, P. Prasanthi, visited the sand reach recently and ordered closure of unofficial passages to the sand reach. Police personnel have been posted and only those vehicles with proper receipts were being allowed.
Now, the transport operators have gone on strike further compounding the woes of the public and transport of sand was completely stopped. The transport operators were being accused of using strong arm tactics and preventing other vehicles to enter the sand mining area. Transport operators in East and West Godavari districts have reportedly taken a cue from their counterparts in Vijaywada and Guntur and have threatened to go on strike.
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A meeting convened by Joint Collector Ch. Sridhar on Tuesday ended on an inconclusive note with transport operators refusing to accept transportation charges fixed by the government, submission of Aadhar cards for registration and registrations at sand reaches. The Joint Collector said issues raised by operators would be considered and called for a meeting on Nov. 22 and formed a committee of officers to look into the issue.
“Transport authorities fear that by submitting details of Aadhar, they would be pushed into the tax bracket and would have to pay sales tax and VAT. They also feel that the transportation charges are too low,’’ Project Director, DRDA P. Prasanthi said on Wednesday.